Mainstream media often focus on hormone imbalances in women because of life events, like menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. But men can experience these problems too. One common cause of hormone imbalance in men is low testosterone.
Testosterone is an essential hormone that affects several aspects of a man’s health, ranging from physical appearance and muscle mass to sperm production and sex drive. It even helps balance moods.
You can experience low testosterone levels at any age, but the testicles begin producing less testosterone once men reach their 30s. While levels decrease slowly each year, approximately 40% of men 45 and older have low testosterone. And, as those levels steadily drop, you can develop several uncomfortable symptoms.
At BodyLogicMD, Anita Petruzzelli, MD takes a comprehensive approach to patient care. This personalized strategy helps us get to the underlying cause of your health concerns, instead of masking symptoms alone. If these symptoms sound familiar, low testosterone levels could be to blame.
Testosterone plays a crucial role in a man’s sexual health. As a result, low levels can cause a significant decline in sex drive as you age. Similarly, it can become more difficult to achieve and maintain a satisfying erection.
But low testosterone doesn’t stop there. It can also take a toll on your fertility by decreasing semen production — semen is the fluid that aids sperm motility.
A man needs testosterone to develop testicles and a penis. So, having low testosterone levels can lead to smaller penis and testicle sizes compared with those who have normal testosterone levels.
Balding is often a natural part of the aging process for men. But if you have low testosterone, you could see hair loss in more places than your head. If you’ve noticed hair loss on your body and face, it could be a sign of low testosterone.
It’s normal to have your body change over your lifetime. However, your testosterone helps you build healthy muscle. As testosterone levels decline, muscle mass often does too. Instead, you can experience an increase in body fat, and even enlarged breast tissue in some cases.
Muscle mass isn’t the only thing at risk with low testosterone. Your bones can become compromised too. Testosterone helps maintain strong, healthy bones. As levels decrease, bone mass can drop, leading to osteoporosis — a condition that increases your chances of bone fractures.
Testosterone actively influences your mood and mental capacity. As a result, it’s common for men with low testosterone levels to experience more irritability, depression, and an inability to focus. Research also shows that decreasing levels of testosterone can affect memory.
If you’ve noticed your energy levels dropping or extreme fatigue setting in despite getting plenty of rest, it could be low testosterone. Researchers have also detected an increased risk of anemia in men with low testosterone, a condition that causes weakness and fatigue. Additional signs of anemia include:
Fortunately, there are ways to reclaim your vitality if you have low testosterone. Our team at BodyLogicMD relies on bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, which replaces the hormones that your body fails to produce. This approach enables us to make personalized recommendations and adjust your treatment every step of the way.
Do you think low testosterone could be causing your symptoms? Schedule a visit to our office in Glastonbury, Connecticut, by calling us today. You can also send a message to the team here on our website.
